July 2012 page 12c
Surgery: Cardiovascular System
Question: If a patient has four different veins ablated on the same extremity but through separate entrance sites, would code 36479, Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous, laser; second and subsequent veins treated in a single extremity, each through separate access sites (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure), be reported three times, once for each entrance site, in addition to primary procedure code 36478, Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous, laser...
Note: The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.
Article Overview
This July 2012 CPT Assistant Q&A addresses a coding question in cardiovascular surgery involving how to report multiple vein ablation services performed in one extremity through separate access sites. It is intended for coders and billing staff who need to understand the article’s discussion of CPT reporting for endovenous ablation procedures and related add-on coding concepts.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers determine how the CPT guidance in this Q&A applies to a multi-vein ablation scenario and whether repeated reporting is appropriate.
What You Will Learn
How the article frames a cardiovascular surgery coding question
How multiple procedure reporting is discussed in the context of endovenous ablation
How CPT Assistant Q&A guidance may affect interpretation of add-on procedures in one extremity
What general issue the article addresses in relation to separate access sites
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